Lead Technician

The National Centre for Circus Arts is a registered charity and one of Europe’s leading providers of circus education, located in a stunning Victorian power station near Hoxton Square, London. Each year, we engage thousands of people in creating and performing circus arts. We are proud to host the UK’s only BA Hons degree in Circus Arts, alongside progressive training for under 18s and professional opportunities for performers. Our offerings also include recreational classes for adults and young people, as well as workshops and team‑building experiences for businesses, all made possible with substantial support from grants and donations.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The post holder will, in conjunction with the Senior Technical Manager, oversee the rigging and installation of lighting, sound and circus related equipment at the National Centre. They will play a role in ensuring the safety of the equipment and in ensuring all spaces are prepared and suitable for use. They will have close links with all the programme areas, users and operational staff alike. Maintenance and upkeep of all equipment and ongoing inspections.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Play a key role in ensuring that the studio spaces are appropriately prepared and equipped for the full range of circus activities.
• Provide advice and training to NCCA students and professional members around training and production needs.
• Take a role in the management of all circus equipment, including statutory inspections.
• Act as a key member of the production team during in‑house performances and external events.
• Promote safe working practices, particularly in relation to the use of circus and technical equipment and the studio spaces.
• Act as the responsible person/manager in the absence of the Senior Technical Manager for the effective and safe operation of all National Centre for Circus Arts Technical requirements, in accordance with its policies and procedures.

Details of responsibilities

• Ensure that the eight studios are safely prepared and professionally presented.
• Facilitate the needs of the various programme areas and users, implementing practical solutions for the installation, storage and layout of both rigged and floor‑based equipment across the various studios.
• Liaise with external users and visiting companies/individuals to ensure that where possible and where practicable, their relevant technical needs are professionally met.
• In conjunction with other key staff in the Operations Dept., ensure that users are aware of any H&S matters pertaining to them whilst using the studios and equipment.
• Actively suggest where improvements to spaces and space use could be implemented.

Equipment

• Take a role in implementing the LOLER / PUWER Examination Scheme, overseeing the monthly and biannual inspection & maintenance periods as well as any necessary equipment inspections undertaken by external contractors.
• Along with the rest of the department, keep an accurate record of these inspections and to maintain the catalogue and audit of rigging and circus‑related equipment.
• Ensure that all equipment is appropriately stored.
• Assist with the hiring out of NCCA equipment in line with the Hires Policy as required.
• Keep an accurate record of equipment usage, particularly when used outside of the National Centre.
• Order any relevant equipment that may be required following purchasing guidelines and procedures.

Productions & events

• Act as a key member of the production team during in‑house presentations, productions and events.
• Offer creative input into the shows and events.
• Advise and offer support to other NCCA production departments, cast and crew.
• Where appropriate, oversee, engage and manage casual show crew/staff.
• On occasions, to work on off‑site productions, events or projects directly connected with NCCA or where NCCA is providing a service.
• To assist in providing RAMS for all event‑specific risks and activities.

Health & Safety

• Ensure users and staff are made aware of and adhere to relevant codes of practice, ways of working and in‑house policies.
• Keep up‑to‑date with current relevant Health and Safety matters.
• In conjunction with the Senior Technical Manager, write risk assessments and method statements for the activities of the department.
• With the wider Technical team, ensure risk assessments and method statements are followed in all relevant activities.
• Run technical inductions for Open Training members, students and new members of staff.

Other Duties

• To support the Senior Technical Manager with the Technical Team budget setting, monitoring, and purchasing.
• To be available to students, teachers and programme leaders for consultation and advice on technical issues.
• On occasions to deliver training to students and others as appropriate.
• Act as a Duty First Aider, where appropriate.
• Attend a range of internal and external meetings as required.
• Demonstrate a commitment to health & safety and its practical application in all areas of work and encourage a culture of responsibility for H&S throughout the organisation.
• Promote a commitment to the National Centre’s Equal Opportunities & Diversity policy, Disability & Reasonable Adjustments commitment and Code of Conduct, along with all other policies that contribute to the operating values and ethos of the organisation as determined in its mission statement.
• To carry out other duties as reasonably requested.
• Such other duties (commensurate with the role) that may from time to time be reasonably required.

NB: This post requires practical activities such as the lifting and moving of medium / heavy loads and scaling ladders. The postholder will also be required to work at height.